Wild Rice

Wild Rice

How well do you know your fellow members of the Rice community? The Rice News flipped through the campus directory recently and randomly selected Ryan Zapalac, a lecturer in the Department of Kinesiology, to answer a few questions and allow us to get to know his hidden side:

Ryan Zapalac

How long have you been working at Rice?
Since August 2004

What is your spouse’s name?
Nikki

What is your favorite place on campus and why?
Any classroom I am teaching in. I love sharing ideas with students.

What was the last book you read?
“Motivation and Emotion in Sport: Reversal Theory” by John H. Kerr — I just finished this book for the eighth time. It is fascinating.

What is your favorite time of day (or night)?
Late in the evening. My brain seems to function best late at night.

What traits do you admire in people?
Perseverance, honesty and responsibility — these are all traits that serve people well in their lives.

What is something about you that people would be surprised to know?
I have surfed the Texas Gulf Coast for the past 17 years. Yes, there are waves!

Which living person do you most admire?
My dad — I wish everyone could have a father that is one-tenth the person that he is.

What is your most treasured possession and why?
My family and friends are the most important things in my life because a person without family and friends to support them (in good times and bad) has nothing.

If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
I would improve my eyesight — it is terrible without contacts!

What talent do you wish you had?
I wish I was fluent in at least three languages.

What is your favorite snack food?
Nectarines

Chocolate or vanilla?
Chocolate

What’s the best thing about living in Houston?
The people